Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Herbal Life

It’s been eight months since my last post. I've had a busy
year with trying to establish a new business, holding down a full time job and
family commitments. After managing to accumulate quite a few partly completed
herb assignments I've arranged with Sarah to repeat this year’s work in 2013.

It doesn't mean herbs have been out of my life or mind, I am
still using my remedies and have made some of my own simples and have noticed
herbs throughout the year wherever I've been.

In June we attended the annual dinner of the Knights of the
Fellowship of the Round Table at the wonderful Halls of King Arthur in
Tintagel. The main hall contains beautiful stained glass displaying the story
of Arthur and the virtues of a knight. In the corridor I came across a window
depicting rosemary for remembrance, especially apt at this time of year. The plant was used at the Halls to remember those that had passed.

Rosemary window

A sprig of rosemary was placed on the round table as a symbol of remembrance for members who had died

In the summer we enjoyed a F**k It week on the island of
Stromboli with John Parkin and his wife Gaia. Nothing rude! We did meditation
& qui gong and learned to relax on the side a live volcano with the sea
lapping in front of us. It’s highly recommended. Wild fennel grows in abundance
along the path to that climbs the volcano, I loved walking along and running my
hands through it to smell the aroma. A lot of herbs smell stronger in the sun, but
my fennel in my garden smells really strong when it is raining.

Stromboli

When we got home there was St John’s Wort growing rampant
over the garden path, I quickly chopped it back. I usually just take the
flowers to make oil but as I was in a hurry I put the flowering tops in and it
has still turned a dark red colour. I usually use olive oil but I have heard Sarah
say she uses sunflower oil and it is a sunny yellow midsummer plant so I have
tried it.

Mr Moon Gazing Hare has had a problem shoulder so I have
used Meadowsweet oil with essential oils including plai oil for natural pain relief along with
gentle massage.

I went to a talk on Aromatology last weekend, where certain essential
oils are used in large doses and internally by highly trained therapists. The
speaker gave us some Roman Chamomile to rub on our cheeks and you could taste
it very quickly. Eucalyptus Smithii applied in the crook of your arm can also
be tasted soon after. I had previously heard of rubbing garlic on the sole of
your foot and being able to taste that soon after. The speaker made a valid
point about being careful what we put on our skin when it can be absorbed into
the body that quickly.

Although life is hectic it is never boring, I have a book to
review before it is released next week and I have been asked to write a
magazine article that I am excited about.

About Me

Hi, I'm Jackie,I am an apprentice herb simpler, my amazing mentor is Sarah Head. I am a nurse and have created my own skin care company, Violet Deva, with my daughter Steph. I am also a trained teacher, clinical aromatherapist, reflexologist and reiki practitioner. My latest honour is to have been asked to be Apothecary Royal for The Knights of the Round Table of King Arthur.